Why people write stories in the first place

I think it's common knowledge that fiction for the most part is a form of escapism that's the biggest reason people enjoy fiction( to "escape" boredom at the very least)

But Why people writte stories in the first place?

It can't be said it is simply escapism given that actually creating and enjoying are too completely different tasks. Some authors in fact don't writte to "escape" as much as their fans do.

My best guess is that creating a story is the closest men has of being GOD. Not in a A God I Am way mind you . But on the creative side the ability to "create ( as in Genesis)" and shape to your image a place were things can be as you think they should be/ would be interesting to be.

Creating a story is in essence sharing your soul, your heart and your spirit to others . Your "being" is shared in a story ( hence the reason negative criticism is so hard for many to bear and praise is the among the most glorious thing to feel). You are not just sharing a story you are also sharing your heart.

" For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What do you think?

edited 2nd Jan '12 11:36:40 PM by FallenLegend

I just like stories.

I write stories because I want to read them.

When I wrote a story for the first TV Tropes writing contest, a reader on the site that hosted it praised it and asked me for an encore. I've had self-esteem issues for most of my life, so it's nice to be good at something. (At this point, it seems like I have actual fans, which is a truly great feeling—as well as an obligation to continue writing stories that meet their standards.)

Edit: To clarify, in school I was always the best short story writer in my grade, and I often made plans to write longer works, but before the contest, I lacked a motivation to actually write for anything other than assignments.

edited 3rd Jan '12 3:11:01 AM by feotakahari

I write because I have points I think are worth making and stories to make them with is the logical conclusion...

Couldn't draw. Had to get the creative urge out somehow.

I write to express the ideas I want to express, and to show the world as I see it.

@Night: same for me. I can paint an epic idea better with words than a (digital) brush.

I don't have all the answers but it's cool to know other people reasons :)

In my case it is also to express mysels and the truths I feel but also to satisfy a creative urge.

edited 3rd Jan '12 6:03:05 AM by FallenLegend

I'm same with Night. I want to be a manga artist, but it's going to take WAY too long to get adequate drawing practices. Also, I just don't like drawing that much.

Also, there's a simple matter of BOOM!

That's pretty much why I write. I write because it's how I reach the Absolute (although I'm definitely not saying my writing is godly!).

I got stories in my head. They want out. I want them on paper too, so someone else can enjoy them too.

That, with more vanity.

I overflow with ideas, and I think other people might enjoy them, so I try expressing them in any way I can. Sadly, however, my art skills are terrible.

I write stories because I like to write stories - that is, I actually enjoy the experience of getting ideas out of my head and onto "paper". There's really nothing more to it.

This.

George Orwell (my hero!) wrote an essay on this issue, titled Why I Write. He wrote that

Like Orwell, I write mostly non-fiction, and in myself, I find motives (i) and (iv) to be the strongest. I'm in doubt as to whether I think he identified these four motives correctly.

edited 3rd Jan '12 10:30:50 PM by MidnightRambler

I write because I love literature. Love it. I always have. I love language, word play, and they way authors can manipulate words to communicate truths about the world in a fictional sphere, with prose as beautiful, disgusting, harsh, or humorous as it wants to be.

So I want to do that. I'm not nearly as good as I would like, but writing is my passion, so I'm going to study fiction and practice until I'm satisfied with my abilities.

Because my mind won't stop coming up with things, and I can enjoy them properly if I take the time to write them out. Plus a little bit of self-esteem boost when people actually like it.

^^^ Reason 2 is my most prominent. I like to tell and view stories. Have done so since I was a small boy.

I used to write stories because when I was a kid, I liked drawing outfits. But the people I hung out with said that fashion was shallow, so I made the outfits be worn by characters. This led to a problem I still struggle with, making clotheshorses instead of characters, but I mostly am able to overcome this.

Pretty soon, I decided these characters needed a plot in which they could live, so I started writing stories around the characters.

Also, sometimes I get these "what if" ideas in my head and I have to write them.

But I think some people do want to sort of "be god" and create their own world, or escape into another world. I certainly do it sometimes when I write. It's fun to create a whole world from almost nothing.

edited 3rd Jan '12 7:41:54 PM by BlackElephant

Because it's one of the few things in life that makes me completely and utterly happy.

I definitely believe that there's an aspect of the general human soul that takes joy in creating beauty for its own sake, whatever form that creation of beauty may take, that ultimately drives all of mankind's creative impulses at some level. Of course, how that ends up manifesting itself, both in what they create and their conscious motives for that creation, differs from person to person.

Me, I write (when I do write) because I know I can do it well, and I enjoy doing things when I can do them well.

Hard to beat George Orwell. He laid it out pretty comprehensively there.

I guess the human brain is hard-wired to preceive narrative in the random events of our lives.

Mmm, the story of why I started writing fiction would make for a lengthy post.

edited 3rd Jan '12 10:17:12 PM by MildGuy

I have a hyperactive brain. I'll go stir crazy if I don't keep my mind occupied at all times, so I occupy it by making stories in my head. If I particularly like an idea, I'll develop it and perhaps attempt writing it out, though even then it is negotiable whether i keep the idea or not. I only hold on to my absolute favourites.

So in short, I guess I write to preserve my sanity.

edited 3rd Jan '12 10:36:34 PM by MechaJesus